In December, Neil Armstrong eighth-graders Garrett Stewart and Maddy Closson used a classroom set of iPads with language arts teacher Nicole Carter. By fall the school plans to have an iPad for every student in the school. Michal Thompson / The Argus

In eight years of teaching at Neil Armstrong Middle School, Nicole Carter said her students this year set new records with the integration of iPad technology.

Carter said her language arts students were more engaged in classroom material, did better work, and had the best assignment completion rate she's seen. As a teacher, Carter said using new technology was "invigorating."

Carter was one of three teachers who implemented computer and iPad technology in the classroom, and the success of the program prompted Principal Brandon Hundley to push for school-wide tablet technology next year. The school's ambitious one-to-one program aims to let every student take home an iPad.

"It's an excellent opportunity for our school and our kids in the community," Hundley said.

The district purchased iPad Minis and 13-inch MacBook Air laptops for the school's 42 teachers last year. Next year's budget allots approximately $300,000 to purchase 840 iPads and 90 MacBook Air laptops for students.

According to Brian Hawkins, Forest Grove School District director of technology, the district purchased devices in bulk, and is getting the latest, full sized iPads with 16 gigabytes of storage space and wireless capability, costing about $470 each. They are also getting 11-inch MacBook Air laptops at about $1,200 each, for students to share for group work or longer projects.

The remaining budget money will go toward accessories such as software and protective covers.

"We did the best we could to try and maximize the number of devices we could purchase for a set amount of money," Hawkins said.

The school also is asking Neil Armstrong parents to pay $5 a month to rent the iPads. Hundley said the school will set up a scholarship program for those who can't afford it.

Lonnie Winkler, school board member elect, said that as a member of the budget committee, he had a lot of questions about the program's cost.

"The last thing I wanted to do was add a $600 replacement iPad bill to a family that is barely getting by as it is," Winkler said.

But, Winkler said part of the budget includes insurance for the new devices, and he hopes that requiring fewer other school supplies can offset the iPad rental costs. He added that it's important for families to have "some skin in the game," as it will encourage students and families to take care of their devices.

Carter said about 150 students shared her classroom iPads last year, and not a single one disappeared or was broken.

James Grimes, a technology teacher at NAMS, said the digital upgrade may save money later on, as iPad programs are cheaper to purchase than new textbooks every couple of years. Grimes said the new technology also will help with equity in the school, as now every student will have the same device and resources.

"It became a situation of the haves and have-nots," Grimes said. "This has leveled the playing field a bit."

During the summer, Carter said the school has set up two committees, one for finding the right iPad applications and resources for each subject, and another looking at how to organize and use the devices.

Starting in the fall, Grimes and Carter will also work as the school's two tech coaches, spending one class period out of their day helping in other classrooms.

According to Hundley, the iPads will only host school-approved applications, most of which will be specific to class content. He said the school uses a system called Edmodo, which functions like a teacher-monitored version of Facebook.

Hundley expects parents to monitor their kids at home, and students can lose take-home privileges if they are inappropriate online. Hundley is already concerned about the harassment and bullying that starts online and comes to school, and with new devices, staff and administrators will have to be even more aware.

He anticipates "growing pains" but hopes the entire Forest Grove district will eventually work in a digital environment.

"There's no if, it's a matter of when," he said. "We have to do this for our kids."